Hello! I picked up this frame from someone's backyard for free and no one really knows how long it was out there for (it was a multi-unit apartment building). While overhauling the headset, I noticed that there's some pretty heavy rusting inside the top tube. It looks like it's flaking. Is this salvageable, or is the frame no longer safe to ride at this point? Thanks!
by jtang6598
3 Comments
You’ll probably be fine. Probably. It looks to be a gusseted/lugged frame so you’ve got a bit more material around the joints. Perhaps have a poke at some of the worst patches to check they’re solid, but living in a damp climate I’ve seen, cleaned-up, and ridden far worse!
I might sound silly, but – tap the frame in various places, if the sound is bright and bell-like, the frame is fine. If you hear a dull thud though…
Put some frame saver into those tubes before assembling
If the metal is shiny and smooth after cleaning, it is only surface corrosion, which is not harmful and progresses slowly. If this is the case, you are good until retirement.
If the surface underneath forms crevices, cracks, etc., it is another form of corrosion and the phenomenon can be rapid and harmful.
There are many forms of corrosion. Here are a few examples:
https://public.ksc.nasa.gov/corrosion/forms-of-corrosion/